AAUW plans to continue scholarship program, despite pandemic; Me-wuk Tribe gives to those in need,
For years AAUW of Sonora has granted scholarships to deserving young women from Tuolumne County public high schools and Columbia College.
Each and every December since 1966, AAUW of Sonora has presented its Home Tour and Tea, including unique handmade items in the boutique and fanciful raffle baskets. There are typically four unique and interesting homes to tour and a tea at a hall, all decked out in magical Christmas by AAUW members.
The Home Tour and Tea usually garners $15,000 to $18,000 for scholarships to be awarded to Tuolumne County young women graduating from local high schools and Columbia College and pursuing higher education. In addition, $5,400 of the fundraising money is dedicated to sending six eighth-grade girls to the week-long annual Tech Trek math and science camp at Fresno State University organized by AAUW California.
Sadly, because of the pandemic, this year's 54th annual event planned for Dec. 5 was not held, and scholarship funds have been diminished.
But, AAUW of Sonora has not gone dark. All meetings and programs are now being conducted online using Zoom. Last July, scholarships were distributed as planned, and board members posed the question, “How can we raise funds for next year's scholarships if the 2020 Home Tour is cancelled?”
The Board decided to solicit donations, beginning with their membership. Members have also appealed to local businesses and friends. To date, branch members have contributed $9,470, and another $1,775 has been received from Community Chiropractic, Sonora Area Foundation Matching Funds, Yosemite Title, Peterson Excavation, Jeanetta Atkinson, Bob and Justy Ragan, Jennifer Michaud, Buck's Body Shop and Buzz Garvin State Farm Insurance.
AAUW of Sonora hopes to finally reach its goal of $17,400 by telling the community about this opportunity to support local women in their pursuit of higher education.
“Every year, as the scholarship committee reviews applications and conducts interviews, we are always impressed by how much these young women of Tuolumne County have already accomplished, sometimes under very difficult circumstances,” said Denise Faucher-garcia, chairwoman of the scholarship committee.
AAUW of Sonora is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization, making contribution tax-deductible. To donate to its scholarship fund, make checks payable to AAUW of Sonora and mail to AAUW of Sonora, P.O. Box 3903, Sonora, CA 95370.
Early this coming spring, the Scholarship Committee plans to seek out deserving young women and award scholarships as usual, to offer some assistance as they begin or continue college careers, even if remotely.
Additional information can be found online at aauwsonora.org, by email at aauw2016@gmail. com, or by calling President Leah Decker at (209) 533-0455.